When it comes to refreshing your look, two of the most in-demand techniques are balayage and highlights. Both will give your hair a brighter colour and add dimension, but they are far from the same. Whether you’re looking for a natural sun-kissed glow or a bold, high-contrast look, understanding the differences between balayage and highlights can help you decide which is right for you.
What is balayage?
Balayage is a French word meaning ‘to sweep’ or ‘to paint’. In the salon, it is a freehand technique where the stylist applies dye directly onto sections of the hair. Unlike traditional methods that use foils, balayage is painted on the surface to create a soft, natural gradient from darker roots to lighter ends. The result is a sun-kissed, lived-in look that grows out beautifully without any harsh lines.
Things to consider:
Natural finish: ideal for those wanting a subtle, effortless style that mimics the effect of natural sunlight on hair, but balayage is less impactful if you’re looking for more of a dramatic change.
Customisation: the hand-painted approach allows for a personalised look tailored to your hair type, colour and style.
Maintenance and cost: while balayage is low maintenance, growing out naturally without harsh lines, the initial technique can take longer and cost more than traditional highlights.
Suitability: balayage works best on medium to longer hair lengths where the gradient effect is more obvious.
What are highlights?
Highlights involve lightening sections of hair from root to tip, typically using foils to achieve a more defined, uniform effect. This technique adds brightness and contrast throughout the hair, often resulting in a more noticeable change compared to balayage, although highlights can be also be subtly placed for a more natural look such as soft, face-framing pieces.
Things to consider:
Versatility: highlights can be fine and subtle or bold and dramatic, making them ideal for every style preference, and they can be applied to any hair length.
Instant brightness: highlights add immediate lightness and contrast, ideal for those looking for a hair transformation as well as those preferring a more subtle, refreshed look.
Maintenance and cost: highlights can require more frequent touch-ups to avoid visible regrowth lines, however the cost per appointment is less. To ensure your hair stays beautifully healthy, we’d recommend that hydrating and strengthening products be used on lightened hair to keep it in tip-top condition.
So, how to choose?
Both balayage and highlights offer beautiful ways to add dimension and brightness to your hair and the right choice depends on your lifestyle, desired look and the level of maintenance required. Why not book a consultation with one of our stylists to discuss the perfect technique for you and they can help you make the decision?